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This week in the CFL

Preview of CFL games for Week 4.

By Chris Zelkovich

Thu., July 17, 2008

THURSDAY, JULY 17

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1-2) at Calgary Stampeders (2-1)

9 p.m., TSN

Question marks

Can the surprising Tiger-Cats bounce back from last week's disappointing home loss to Saskatchewan? And can they do it without star running back Jesse Lumsden, who will miss the game with a knee injury?

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Can the Stampeders cut down on their propensity for penalties, a lack of discipline that has hurt them this season? Can the defence shut down Hamilton's ground game the way they did Montreal's?

Exclamation points

Even without Lumsden, who is leading the league in rushing, the Ticats have an impressive ground game thanks to rookie Tre Smith and quarterback Casey Printers. Add veteran Terry Caulley to the mix this week.

Quarterback Henry Burris is off to a great start, completing 70 per cent of his passes. With running back Joffrey Reynolds averaging six yards a carry, the Stamps have the league's most balanced offence.

Goal-line stand

Hamilton's iffy defence and Calgary's high-powered offence should spell a victory for the Stamps.

FRIDAY, JULY 18

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (0-3) at B.C. Lions (1-2)

10 p.m., TSN

Question marks

Will quarterback Kevin Glenn be able to withstand the critics, following a poor start and a fan poll that showed 57 per cent of them favoured backup Ryan Dinwiddie? Wasn't Charles Roberts the league's best running back at one time?

Is the Jarious Jackson who picked apart the Winnipeg defence last week the real deal at quarterback, or do we see Buck Pierce again? With a big crowd expected, will the Lions suffer stage fright in this home-and-home series?

Exclamation points

There hasn't been much positive in the Bombers' start, though defensive tackle Doug Brown and linebacker Cam Hall have been outstanding, combining for 29 tackles.

Despite losing last year's rushing champion Joe Smith to injury, the Lions filled with Stefan Logan, who ran for 140 yards against the Bombers. Lions defence is second in yards allowed.

Can the Als continue to win without a significant contribution from receiver Ben Cahoon? The dependable non-import has but five catches in two games. Will an injured pinky slow quarterback Anthony Calvillo's hot start?

Are the Riders for real? Can third-string quarterback Darian Durant pull another rabbit from his helmet after throwing for 347 yards in his debut against Hamilton?

Exclamation points

The Montreal offence has been awesome, with running back Avon Cobourne leading the league in total yardage (436) and Calvillo hitting everything that moves.

The Saskatchewan defence has been impressive in the early going, holding opponents to a league-leading 323 yards per game. Kicker Luca Congi is perfect in seven field goal tries.

Goal-line stand

This could be the best game of the week, but home advantage should work in the Riders' favour.

SUNDAY, JULY 20

Edmonton Eskimos (2-1) at Toronto Argonauts (1-2)

4 p.m., TSN

Question marks

Can the Edmonton defensive backfield, which looked weak even in victory, tighten things up this week? Is A.J. Harris, who was cut in training camp but brought back, the answer at running back after an 89-yard night against Toronto last week?

Can the Argo special teams rebound from a bad start? Can the offence build on some positive signs from last week's loss in Edmonton? When will the Argo defence, which is last in almost every category, start looking like last year's?

Exclamation points

Cornerback Tristan Jackson was almost a one-man wrecking crew against the Argos last week, both on defence and on special teams. Eskimo defence leads league with seven interceptions.

Wide receiver Bethel Johnson should be back, which will boost the Argo air attack. Now that he's been confirmed as the starter, QB Kerry Joseph should look more comfortable under centre.

Goal-line stand

Home advantage will help the Argos, who should prevail in a close game.

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